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Pedro Neto
Portuguese footballer (born 2000)

Pedro Lomba Neto (born 9 March 2000) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a winger for Chelsea in the Premier League and the Portugal national team. He began his career at Braga, spending time on loan at Italy’s Lazio before signing with Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2019. After overcoming injuries, Neto joined Chelsea in August 2024, helping them win the UEFA Conference League that season. A former Portugal youth international, he debuted for the senior team in November 2020 with a goal. Neto was also included in Portugal’s squad for UEFA Euro 2024 and contributed to their 2024–25 UEFA Nations League victory.

Club career

Braga

Born in Viana do Castelo, Neto joined Braga's youth system at the age of 13. On 7 May 2017, while still a junior, he made his professional debut with their reserves, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 2–3 home loss against Porto B in the Segunda Liga.1 The following weekend, in his first Primeira Liga appearance with the first team, he scored after only a few minutes on the pitch, helping the hosts defeat already relegated Nacional 4–0 and becoming the club's youngest ever goal scorer in the competition.23

On 31 August 2017, both Neto and teammate Bruno Jordão were loaned to Lazio of Italy for two years, with an obligation to buy both players for a combined €26 million.45 He only played his first match in Serie A on 27 January 2019, replacing Bastos in the last-minute of the 1–2 home loss to Juventus.6

Wolverhampton Wanderers

On 2 August 2019, Neto signed with Wolverhampton Wanderers.7 He made his debut twelve days later in the second leg of the UEFA Europa League third qualifying round against Pyunik, scoring and providing an assist for Morgan Gibbs-White in a 4–0 home win (8–0 aggregate).8 His maiden appearance in the Premier League took place a few days later in the same month, when he came on for compatriot Diogo Jota late on in the 1–1 home draw with Manchester United.9

Neto's first league start occurred on 28 September 2019, when he assisted Matt Doherty's opening goal in a 2–0 victory over Watford at Molineux.10 After having what would have been his first goal in the competition ruled out controversially by VAR at Liverpool on 29 December,11 he scored in the next game (a 2–1 away loss to Watford on 1 January 2020), becoming the first teenager to achieve the feat for the club in the Premier League in the process.12

On 4 October 2020, Neto scored his first league goal for Wolves in the 2020–21 campaign in the 1–0 home defeat of Fulham.13 A month later, he extended his contract to 2025.14

Neto was Sky Sports' player of the match in a league game with Arsenal on 29 November 2020, in which he scored once and set up Daniel Podence for his team's second goal in the game as they ran out 2–1 winners in their first away victory against that opposition since 1979.15 He suffered a serious knee injury in the first half of the 1–0 away defeat of Fulham on 9 April 2021,1617 which ruled him out for the remainder of that season and the bulk of the following.1819 He finally returned on 20 February 2022, as a second-half substitute in a 2–1 home win over Leicester City.20

On 9 March 2022, Neto's 22nd birthday, he agreed to a new deal running until 2027.21 On 22 May, the last day of the campaign, he scored his first goal for the club since his injury, opening an eventual 3–1 loss at Liverpool in the third minute.22

Neto made his 100th competitive appearance on 17 September 2022, in a 3–0 home defeat against Manchester City.23 The following month, he suffered an ankle injury that required surgery and sidelined him for nearly five months.24 He returned to action on 4 March 2023, playing the first half of the 1–0 home win over Tottenham Hotspur.25

Neto played his 100th match in the English top tier on 21 October 2023, in a 2–1 away victory against Bournemouth where he also assisted Matheus Cunha, his sixth decisive pass of the new season.26 He scored his first-ever FA Cup goal on 28 January 2024, opening the 2–0 win at West Bromwich Albion in the fourth round.27

Chelsea

On 11 August 2024, Neto moved to Chelsea on a seven-year contract;28 the deal was reported to be worth £51.3 million with £2.6 million in potential bonuses.29 His first competitive appearance took place seven days later, as a substitute in a 2–0 league home loss against Manchester City.30 He scored his first goal on 24 September, in the 5–0 victory over League Two side Barrow in the third round of the EFL Cup;31 he finished his debut campaign with six from 45 games, including one in seven matches in a victorious run in the UEFA Conference League.3233

International career

On 5 September 2019, aged 19, Neto won his first cap for Portugal at under-21 level, playing the first half of a 4–0 win against Gibraltar in the 2021 UEFA European Championship qualification campaign, held in Alverca do Ribatejo.34 On 5 November 2020, he had his first call-up to the senior team, for matches against Andorra and France.35 He debuted on 11 November in a 7–0 home friendly win over the former, scored the first goal36 and became the first player born in the 2000s to represent the nation.37

Neto was ruled out of the 2022 FIFA World Cup due to an injury suffered with his club.38 In spite of recurrent physical problems in the next years, he was however selected for UEFA Euro 2024 by new manager Roberto Martínez.3940 In the opening match against the Czech Republic, he came off the bench in the 90th minute and created the winning goal for Francisco Conceição two minutes later, which secured a 2–1 win;41 also in the group phase, he featured the last 45 minutes of the 3–0 victory over Turkey42 and 75 against Georgia (2–0 loss).43

Neto was selected for Portugal's squad at the 2025 UEFA Nations League Finals.44 He started both games for the champions, including the 5–3 penalty shootout win over Spain in the final.4546

Personal life

Neto's uncle, Sérgio Lomba, was also a footballer.47

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 16 June 20254849 Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cup50League cup51EuropeOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Braga2016–1752Primeira Liga2100000021
2017–1853Primeira Liga1000000010
Total3100000031
Lazio (loan)2018–1954Serie A40100050
Wolverhampton Wanderers2019–2055Premier League293202011562445
2020–2157Premier League3153010355
2021–2258Premier League1310000131
2022–2359Premier League1800010190
2023–2460Premier League2024100243
Total11111914011213514
Chelsea2024–2561Premier League354201176211631467
Career total15316121511831018922

International

As of match played 8 June 202564 Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Portugal202011
202120
202320
202491
202530
Total172
As of match played 15 November 2024 Portugal score listed first, score column indicates score after each Neto goal65 List of international goals scored by Pedro Neto
No.DateCapVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
111 November 20201Estádio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal Andorra1–07–0Friendly
215 November 202414Estádio do Dragão, Porto, Portugal Poland4–05–12024–25 UEFA Nations League A

Honours

Lazio

Chelsea

Portugal

Individual

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pedro Neto.

References

  1. "Sp. Braga B-FC Porto B, 2–3: Vitória garante permanência aos dragões" [Sp. Braga B-FC Porto B, 2–3: Win confirms permanence for dragons]. Record (in Portuguese). 7 May 2017. Retrieved 18 August 2017. http://www.record.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/2--liga/detalhe/sp-braga-b-fc-porto-b-2-3-vitoria-garante-permanencia-aos-dragoes.html

  2. "Sp. Braga-Nacional, 4–0 (resultado final)" [Sp. Braga-Nacional, 4–0 (final score)] (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. 14 May 2017. Retrieved 18 August 2017. http://www.maisfutebol.iol.pt/liga/14-05-2017/sp-braga-nacional-4-0-resultado-final

  3. "Jovem de 17 anos fez história pelo Sp. Braga com este golo" [17-year-old youth made history for Sp. Braga with this goal]. Record (in Portuguese). 14 May 2017. Retrieved 18 August 2017. http://www.record.pt/multimedia/videos/detalhe/jovem-de-17-anos-fez-historia-pelo-sp-braga-com-este-golo.html

  4. "Comunicato 31.08.17" [Announcement 31.08.17] (in Italian). S.S. Lazio. 31 August 2017. Retrieved 11 September 2017. http://www.sslazio.it/it/news/press-release-2/40645-comunicato-31-08-18

  5. Rindone, Daniele (31 August 2017). "Lazio, i baby d'oro Neto e Jordao pagati 26 milioni" [Lazio, golden babies Neto and Jordao cost 26 million]. Corriere dello Sport (in Italian). Retrieved 9 September 2017. http://www.corrieredellosport.it/news/calcio/calcio-mercato/2017/08/31-30006510/lazio_i_baby_doro_neto_e_jordao_pagati_26_milioni/?cookieAccept

  6. Sala, Federico (27 January 2019). "Lazio-Juventus 1–2: Cancelo e Ronaldo firmano la rimonta bianconera" [Lazio-Juventus 1–2: Cancelo and Ronaldo sign white-and-black comeback]. la Repubblica (in Italian). Retrieved 25 September 2024. https://www.repubblica.it/sport/calcio/serie-a/2019/01/27/news/lazio-juventus_1-2_rimonta_portoghese_e_biancocelesti_ko-217629515/

  7. "Comunicato 02.08.2019" [Announcement 02.08.2019] (in Italian). S.S. Lazio. 2 August 2019. Retrieved 2 August 2019. https://www.sslazio.it/it/news/press-release-2/54661-comunicato-02-08-2019

  8. Doyle, Paul (14 August 2019). "Wolves face Torino after stroll on easy street seeing off Pyunik". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 August 2019. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/aug/15/wolves-pyunik-europa-league-qualifying-match-report

  9. Stone, Simon (19 August 2019). "Wolverhampton Wanderers 1–1 Manchester United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 August 2019. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/49315240

  10. Stone, Simon (28 September 2019). "Wolves 2–0 Watford: Wolves beat Watford for first Premier League win". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 September 2019. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49778508

  11. Sanders, Emma (29 December 2019). "Liverpool 1–0 Wolves: Sadio Mane scores winner to send Reds 13 points clear". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 January 2020. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50882581

  12. Magowan, Alistair (1 January 2020). "Watford 2–1 Wolverhampton Wanderers". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 January 2020. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50908729

  13. Sutcliffe, Steve (4 October 2020). "Wolverhampton Wanderers 1–0 Fulham: Pedro Neto's goal condemns visitors to fourth straight loss". BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 October 2020. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54313271

  14. "Pedro Neto: Wolves winger commits to club until 2025". BBC Sport. 3 November 2020. Retrieved 4 November 2020. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54802315

  15. Walker, Ron (29 November 2020). "Arsenal 1–2 Wolves: Pedro Neto and Daniel Podence give Nuno Espirito Santo's side first win at Gunners since 1979". Sky Sports. Retrieved 1 December 2020. https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12146556/arsenal-1-2-wolves-pedro-neto-and-daniel-podence-give-nuno-espirito-santos-side-first-win-at-gunners-since-1979

  16. Dawkes, Phil (9 April 2021). "Fulham 0–1 Wolves: Adama Traore with stoppage-time winner for visitors". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 February 2022. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56611890

  17. Ames, Nick (9 April 2021). "Adama Traoré's late Wolves winner leaves Fulham in big relegation trouble". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 February 2022. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/apr/09/fulham-wolves-premier-league-match-report

  18. Edwards, Joe (13 April 2021). "Wolves key man Pedro Neto to undergo knee surgery". Shropshire Star. Retrieved 19 December 2021. https://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/football/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2021/04/13/wolves-key-man-pedro-neto-to-undergo-knee-surgery/

  19. Ramsdale, Ben (1 December 2021). "Wolves injury report: Who's in and who's out for Wolverhampton Wanderers for Burnley clash". Birmingham World. Retrieved 19 December 2021. https://www.birminghamworld.uk/sport/football/wolves/wolves-injury-report-whos-in-and-whos-out-for-wolverhampton-wanderers-for-burnley-clash-3447242

  20. Stone, Simon (20 February 2022). "Wolverhampton Wanderers 2–1 Leicester City: Daniel Podence nets winner for Wolves". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 February 2022. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60364588

  21. "Wolves: Pedro Neto signs new five-year contract until 2027". BBC Sport. 9 March 2022. Retrieved 9 March 2022. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60678951

  22. Rose, Gary (22 May 2022). "Liverpool 3–1 Wolverhampton Wanderers: Reds victory not enough as Man City win title". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 May 2022. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61453543

  23. Stone, Simon (17 September 2022). "Wolves 0–3 Manchester City: Erling Haaland scores again in dominant win". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 September 2022. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62859266

  24. Dicken, Alex (7 October 2022). "Wolves suffer major blow as extent of Pedro Neto injury revealed". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 7 October 2022. https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/wolves-pedro-neto-injury-chelsea-25201970

  25. Millington, Adam (4 March 2023). "Wolves 1–0 Tottenham: Traoré seals win which damages visitors' Champions League qualification bid". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 March 2023. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64768045

  26. Mail, Simon (21 October 2023). "Kalajdzic completes Wolves comeback win at 10-man Bournemouth". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 October 2023. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/oct/21/bournemouth-wolves-premier-league-match-report

  27. Stone, Simon (28 January 2024). "West Brom 0–2 Wolves: Visitors progress after crowd trouble sees game suspended". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 January 2024. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68110807

  28. "Chelsea complete Pedro Neto signing!". Chelsea F.C. 11 August 2024. Retrieved 11 August 2024. https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/chelsea-complete-pedro-neto-signing

  29. "Chelsea sign £54m Neto from Wolves". BBC Sport. 11 August 2024. Retrieved 11 August 2024. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cd05ereye7do

  30. "Match report: Chelsea 0–2 Man City". Chelsea F.C. 18 August 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2024. https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/match-report-chelsea-0-2-man-city-18082024

  31. Rindl, Joe (24 September 2024). "Chelsea 5–0 Barrow". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 September 2024. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/c62d7j5j42rt

  32. Begley, Emlyn (28 May 2025). "Real Betis 1–4 Chelsea". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 May 2025. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/crk2zx2e1xet#Report

  33. Ghura, Japtej (29 May 2025). "Grading every Chelsea player for their performances over the past season". Hayters TV. Retrieved 30 May 2025. https://hayters.com/grading-every-chelsea-player-for-their-performances-over-the-past-season/

  34. Amaro, Miguel (5 September 2019). "Portugal arranca qualificação com goleada" [Portugal get qualifying campaign started with rout]. Record (in Portuguese). Retrieved 3 October 2019. https://www.record.pt/internacional/competicoes-de-selecoes/europeu-sub-21/detalhe/20190905-1943-portugal-gibraltar-em-direto

  35. Edwards, Joe (5 November 2020). "Wolves star Pedro Neto included in Portugal squad". Express & Star. Retrieved 11 November 2020. https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/football/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2020/11/05/wolves-star-pedro-neto-included-in-portugal-squad/

  36. Cole, Richard (11 November 2020). "Debutants shine as Portugal put seven past Andorra". PortuGOAL. Retrieved 11 November 2020. https://portugoal.net/selecao/1840-debutants-shine-as-portugal-put-seven-past-andorra

  37. "Pedro Neto, o primeiro jogador dos anos 2000 da seleção que fazia lembrar Messi" [Pedro Neto, the first national team player of the 2000s who reminded of Messi] (in Portuguese). Rádio e Televisão de Portugal. 12 November 2020. Retrieved 16 November 2020. https://www.rtp.pt/noticias/selecao-nacional/pedro-neto-o-primeiro-jogador-dos-anos-2000-da-selecao-que-fazia-lembrar-messi_d1274788

  38. Dicken, Alex (7 October 2022). "Wolves suffer major blow as extent of Pedro Neto injury revealed". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 7 October 2022. https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/wolves-pedro-neto-injury-chelsea-25201970

  39. Percy, John (20 May 2024). "Man City and Newcastle target Pedro Neto – but Wolves demand £60m". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 21 May 2024. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2024/05/20/wolves-pedro-neto-transfer-60m-man-city-newcastle/

  40. Spiers, Tim (21 May 2024). "Portugal's Euro 2024 squad: Pedro Neto one of nine Premier League players included, Matheus Nunes left out". The New York Times. Retrieved 21 May 2024. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5509185/2024/05/21/portugal-euro-2024-squad/

  41. Rose, Gary (18 June 2024). "Portugal 2–1 Czech Republic". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 June 2024. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/c3ggyn075p8t

  42. Sanders, Emma (22 June 2024). "Turkey 0–3 Portugal". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 July 2024. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/c511d502dxvt

  43. Millington, Adam (26 June 2024). "Georgia 2–0 Portugal". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 July 2024. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/cqllllkd73dt

  44. "Convocatória para Liga das Nações divulgada" [Nations League squad announced] (in Portuguese). Portuguese Football Federation. 20 May 2025. Retrieved 14 June 2025. https://www.fpf.pt/pt/News/Todas-as-notícias/Notícia/news/50645

  45. Emons, Michael (4 June 2025). "Germany 1–2 Portugal". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 June 2025. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/cj6rw18xk1yt

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  47. "Pedro Neto: recusou o Barça e aos 17 anos já marca pelo Braga" [Pedro Neto: he rejected Barça and is already scoring for Braga at 17]. O Jogo (in Portuguese). 14 May 2017. Retrieved 2 July 2017. https://www.ojogo.pt/futebol/1a-liga/braga/noticias/interior/pedro-neto-recusou-o-barca-e-aos-17-anos-ja-marca-pelo-braga-8476244.html

  48. Pedro Neto at Soccerway https://int.soccerway.com/players/pedro-lomba-neto/477582/

  49. Pedro Neto – UEFA competition record (archive) https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/clubs/players/250106986/

  50. Includes Coppa Italia, FA Cup /wiki/Coppa_Italia

  51. Includes EFL Cup /wiki/EFL_Cup

  52. "Games played by Pedro Neto in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=1027888&season_id=149

  53. "Games played by Pedro Neto in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=1027888&season_id=150

  54. "Games played by Pedro Neto in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=1027888&season_id=151

  55. "Games played by Pedro Neto in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=102788&season_id=152

  56. Appearances in UEFA Europa League /wiki/UEFA_Europa_League

  57. "Games played by Pedro Neto in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=102788&season_id=153

  58. "Games played by Pedro Neto in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=102788&season_id=154

  59. "Games played by Pedro Neto in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=102788&season_id=155

  60. "Games played by Pedro Neto in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=102788&season_id=156

  61. "Games played by Pedro Neto in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=102788&season_id=157

  62. Appearances in UEFA Conference League /wiki/UEFA_Conference_League

  63. Appearance in FIFA Club World Cup /wiki/FIFA_Club_World_Cup

  64. "Pedro Neto". EU-Football.info. Retrieved 11 November 2020. https://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=31234

  65. "Pedro Neto". EU-Football.info. Retrieved 11 November 2020. https://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=31234

  66. "Match report | 2018–19 | Finale" [Match report | 2018–19 | Final] (in Italian). Lega Serie A. 15 May 2019. Retrieved 14 March 2022. https://www.legaseriea.it/it/coppa-italia/match-report/2018-19/FINAL/UNI/1/LAZATA

  67. Begley, Emlyn (28 May 2025). "Real Betis 1–4 Chelsea". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 May 2025. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/crk2zx2e1xet#Report

  68. "Portugal 2–2 Spain (5–3p)". UEFA. 8 June 2025. Retrieved 8 June 2025. https://www.uefa.com/uefanationsleague/match/2044949--portugal-vs-spain/

  69. "Neto picks up prize double at Wolves' End of Season Awards". Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. 20 May 2021. Retrieved 1 January 2025. https://www.wolves.co.uk/news/club/20210520-neto-picks-up-prize-double-at-wolves-end-of-season-awards/

  70. "Neto picks up prize double at Wolves' End of Season Awards". Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. 20 May 2021. Retrieved 1 January 2025. https://www.wolves.co.uk/news/club/20210520-neto-picks-up-prize-double-at-wolves-end-of-season-awards/

  71. "End of Season Awards | Jimenez seals awards hat-trick". Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. 5 September 2020. Retrieved 28 February 2025. https://www.wolves.co.uk/news/club/20200905-end-of-season-awards-jimenez-seals-awards-hat-trick/

  72. "Neto crowned Player of the Month". Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. 7 October 2023. Retrieved 28 September 2024. https://www.wolves.co.uk/news/mens-first-team/20231007-neto-crowned-player-of-the-month/

  73. "Chelsea Goal of the Season 2024/25 winner confirmed". Chelsea F.C. 11 June 2025. Retrieved 13 June 2025. https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/chelsea-goal-of-the-season-2024-25-winner-confirmed#:~:text=Neto%20wins%20Goal%20of%20the%20Season!&text=Neto%20received%20the%20ball%20from,away%20end%20behind%20the%20goal.